Plante wins Me. rep Dist. 145

By Oliver Jenkins

ojenkins@fosters.com

fosters.com

By Oliver Jenkins

ojenkins@fosters.com

Posted Nov. 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM

By Oliver Jenkins

ojenkins@fosters.com

Posted Nov. 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM

BERWICK, Maine - Democrat Joshua Plante of Berwick has wrestled control of the State Rep. District 145 seat away from Republican Beth O’Connor of Berwick. Plante received 2,407 votes against O’Connor’s 2,256. District 145 is composed of Berwick and part of Lebanon.

Plante previously told Foster’s he wanted to represent his district in order to bring a voice and proper representation to the community. “I want to represent my district by bringing a voice that will solidly defend the need to support the middle class and grow the job field,” he said. “The average citizen has not received the best representation for too long.”

For Plante, the key issue in this election was employment.

“The most important issue is creating jobs,” the 2010 University of New Hampshire graduate said. “With more jobs, our needs and wants are more easily affordable. These jobs need to be of the sort that make up the blue collar work force, not barely meeting or surpassing the minimum wage.”

Looking to the future, Plante would like to see a more prosperous Maine, one with better jobs, educational opportunities, and advantages.

“I wish to make the next generation of jobs in America a growing industry in Maine. These jobs will pay people wages that will allow them to make a career at one job, have the benefits they deserve, and have a life in Maine,” he said. “Our education system needs adaptation that will better relate the material learned to the workforce. This can give Maine the advantage needed to be ahead and best suited for these new jobs to be created in the state.”